Alex's review: Expert freerider

"Easy float, let me hike, surf and play any terrain. I don't like a powder board to be too flexible, because I want to lay some trenches on the groomers too. When the snow starts falling in the evening, I get happily nervous for the next day."

Lightweight, easy to ride

The Nitro Highlander (163cm) is the top-end snowboard in the Nitro collection. Still the performance specs must fit your personal preferences or it can be disappointing. If you want a super light weight snowboard that is relative easy to ride in any terrain, the Highlander might fit you. The Highlander is not a punisher, more a board to make your life easier on the mountain. It floats well in powder and likes to ride big lines. The light weight makes it on piste easy to switch and maneuver quite precise. In that sense it actually is a more of an all-mountain category snowboard than a freeride that Nitro calls it. Riding on the edge is made easier by the waved edge which gives early contact with the piste. All this together makes it a board that an intermediate+ skilled boarder can already take.

The challenge

Although the Nitro Highlander is a camber snowboard, it is nowhere near the Pantera regarding rebound and flex. The Highlander doesn't have the stiffness for an amazing pop. Personally I like that a lot and I expected that from this board as well. The challenge is not in the snowboard this time, you have to find it on the mountain. And again it is very personal as I don't care much about light weight and all day easy boarding. That makes that I give the Highlander 3.5 stars.

Nitro about the Highlander

"The absolute lightest weight technology combined with new KOROYD® technology to create the lightest and most responsive board in the entire Nitro lineup. This Directional boss has a perfect mix of response and aggressiveness, supplied by a combination of TRÜE Camber and Diamond Laminates, for flying down any face in any condition. The KOROYD® in the tip and tail provide an amazing swing weight reduction for increased control. Our Power Pods allow for high-speed turns and edge hold on any surface. The bar has been raised.", says Nitro. If you look for a very lightweight snowboard, this is one of them.

Steef's review: Advanced+ freerider

"In powder I want float and a bit of flex. I don't mind to work hard for a perfect powder run, as long as it pays off. Blue skies, bottomless powder describes paradise. Looking for adventure sometimes brings me to the edge."

Nice all-mountain snowboard to me

The Nitro Highlander (163 cm) is to me a nice all-mountain board, suitable from intermediate to advanced+ riders. Easy driving, nice off-piste en supple on piste. Quite good grip and a moderate pop. Neutral handling with a good balance.

Easy handling

For me the Highlander board excels more off-piste than on piste. On piste it is supple and easy without any thrill. For some this is good news because the Nitro Highlander does everything right with ease and peace, but I like it when a board provides a rush of adrenaline when driving it and I miss that with the Highlander. Off-piste though, it behaves perfect and predictable. A 4 star snowboard for me.

Nitro about the Highlander

"The absolute lightest weight technology combined with new KOROYD® technology to create the lightest and most responsive board in the entire Nitro lineup. This Directional boss has a perfect mix of response and aggressiveness, supplied by a combination of TRÜE Camber and Diamond Laminates, for flying down any face in any condition. The KOROYD® in the tip and tail provide an amazing swing weight reduction for increased control. Our Power Pods allow for high-speed turns and edge hold on any surface. The bar has been raised.", says Nitro. No aggressiveness in my opinion but just a good all mountain board.